A brilliant animated primer from the ASCE explains what’s at stake for the average American as the highway trust fund is fast nearing its end.. For the uninitiated,the Highway Trust Fund is the US federal funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems, and it is on course to become insolvent by August, jeopardizing America’s infrastructure and its economy. Unless our lawmakers get their act together with extreme urgency, we might be in for some serious trouble and may lose some of the hard fought economic gains quickly…Learn more:http://www.fixthetrustfund.org/

In case you are wondering why the highway trust fund is running out of money, take a peek at this article from Washington Post..

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• The US will start running out of money for roads in August. Here’s why.
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• Highway Funding: Is 7 Percent a Crisis?
• Why the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money, in 5 graphs

Closing date: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (11:59PM EST)

This position is located in the Office of Safety Programs, Office of Safety, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC. The incumbent serves as a transportation specialist and provides advice to Safety Leadership on highway safety programs.

You will serve as a nationally recognized authority and advisor to Safety Leadership in identifying, developing and delivering safety workforce competency programs and products to reduce the number and severity of highway crashes, and other highway safety programs. You will also serve as the co-champion for the FHWA Safety Discipline and the program manager for the Roadway Safety Professional Capacity Building Program (RSPBC). As Safety Discipline co-champion, you will work toward improving the capacity of FHWA’s workforce in safety related competencies. As the RSPBC Manager, you will also help a broad range of roadway safety professionals acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to implement safety programs, strategies, and countermeasures.

The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-career or senior level professional with experience in identifying, planning, and implementing new national program initiatives and leading the development and implementation of programs for outreach and public information to improve the proficiency of highway safety professionals.  He/she has a high degree of independence in planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and carrying out assignments and maintaining effective working relationships as a leader or member of teams or working groups.  In addition, the ideal candidate has excellent person-to-person and written communication skills.

Duties:

• Provide leadership in technical, programmatic engineering and policy assistance to FHWA field offices, State and local agencies, and other internal and external customers to implement safety programs for all levels of government.
• Provide resources to help safety experts and specialists develop critical knowledge and skills within the roadway safety workforce.
• Lead the development and implementation of programs for outreach and public information to improve the proficiency of highway safety professionals.
• Coordinate with other Federal, State, and local agencies and professional organizations and serve on intra-agency task forces with partners to improve the safety workforces’ knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Plan and conduct briefings and regional and national meetings for FHWA, State, and local safety professionals and other highway safety-related organizations.
• Identify customer’s needs and provide resources to facilitate the deployment of roadway safety tools.

Click here to learn more and to apply.

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks one Transportation Specialist (GS-2101-13) to support the Transit Safety and Security Division at the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI).  RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research, training and data analysis programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and fostering the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.  TSI provides premier worldwide training, products, and services for people in the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment.  The TSI training center is located in Oklahoma City, OK at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), a Federal Aviation Administration training and materials facility.  Visit www.tsi.dot.gov to learn more.  This position is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

As a Transportation Specialist (Transit Rail), you will serve as a technical and policy advisor responsible for any required development, implementation, and instruction supporting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the establishment of a Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program for Federal and State personnel.  S/he is responsible for serving as a nationally recognized expert on rail safety and security training.  As a recognized expert, s/he will regularly participate as a technical resource and advisor on technically complex and politically sensitive transit rail safety and security issues.

The ideal candidate is a recognized technical expert on transit rail safety and security, and has leadership and team building skills and techniques such as group facilitation, coordination, coaching, problem solving, and interpersonal communication.  The ideal candidate can integrate work processes and products, and obtain resources in liaison with the supervisor to lead project team members to meet program and production goals.  S/he must have the ability to use consensus building, negotiating, coalition building, and conflict resolution techniques to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to interact appropriately in highly charged emotional situations for the purpose of influencing managers or other officials to accept and implement findings and recommendations for justifying and resolving matters involving significant or controversial issues.  The incumbent will share expertise through publications and presentations in respected forums, knowledge sharing venues within appropriate DOT communities, and mentoring of technical staff.

This announcement is open to the general public and under merit promotion for current or former Federal employees and people eligible under special hiring authorities.  Please note that merit promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

Application deadline:  Friday, June 7, 2013

Merit Promotion Announcement

(RITA.TSI-2013-0007):  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/344455400

Public Announcement

(RITA.TSI-2013-0008):  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/344456100

Description:

The Department of Transportation is seeking a talented and exemplary professional to join a dynamic work group. The selected individual will need to have exceptional communication skills, be able to provide excellent customer service, and have solid technical and analytical skills. This position will review complex development applications for compliance with County policies and regulations; formulate and communicate transportation recommendations to the staff, appointed and elected officials; scope and review Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA); attend and represent the Department at Planning Commission, Board of County Supervisors, and other transportation related meetings; provide planning and technical solutions to complex problems or situations; work with other County agencies and community groups to achieve County and Departmental vision and goals. The successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic, organized, creative, team-oriented, and have a positive can-do attitude. This position will perform under the direct supervision of the Transportation Planning Manager.

TRB’s Technical Activities Division has an opening for a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to work in the areas of preservation and maintenance of transportation facilities, with an emphasis on highways. Specifically, the SPO will work in the areas of management, personnel, equipment, and materials for preservation and maintenance; preservation and maintenance of structures, bridges, pavements, roadsides, and signs/markings; corrosion; work zone traffic control; and winter maintenance.

Responsibilities include keeping abreast of issues and technical developments affecting the preservation and maintenance areas, providing staff support to TRB standing committees and the Operations and Preservation Group Executive Board; planning and delivering sessions and events for the TRB Annual Meeting program; planning and managing conferences; reviewing and processing reports and papers; traveling to state, local, and federal transportation departments, transportation-related industries, and universities to exchange information about problems and potential solutions and about current and proposed research programs; maintaining ongoing relationships with major TRB sponsors (including the state Departments of Transportation); developing new program areas; serving as liaison to TRB Cooperative Research Programs; responding to inquiries; and performing other related duties as assigned. Supervises work of support and other program staff associated with the projects.

A listing of minimum requirements, full job duties, and application information are available on the National Academies’ Office of Human Resources webpage.

 This position is a Transportation Specialist assigned to the Freight Analysis and Research Team within Office of Freight Management and Operations (HOFM) of the Office of Operations of the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA).  The Office is responsible for analyzing trends and developing policies concerning multimodal freight transportation,

APM Terminals, Portsmouth, VA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Within a team environment, the Transportation Specialist is responsible for providing expertise in data, modeling and analytical techniques for  analyzing  and forecasting freight activity and its economic and environmental consequences, to support FHWA headquarters, FHWA field components, state DOT personnel, and professional staff of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and other stakeholders in establishing a comprehensive program for improving freight operations within the country’s transportation network.supporting freight transportation planning and project development at all levels of government through information and professional development programs, enforcing vehicle size and weight laws, and promoting improvements in freight operations and technology.  Its mission is to provide programs, policies, research, and technology transfer that promote efficient and effective freight flow on the highway system and its intermodal connectors within the United States and across its international borders.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is seeking a mid-level planning professional who has demonstrated technical skills and a passion for smart, urban solutions. If you are interested, please send your resume to christopher.delfs@dc.gov -AND- apply through the District of Columbia Department of Human Resources at the link below. The first screening date is November 22, 2011.

https://erecruit.dc.gov/psp/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_HM_PRE

Job Overview

Transportation planners conduct professional analytical work identifying, leading, conducting and implementing transportation planning studies and policies. Planners contribute to capital budget formulation and prioritization, promote sustainable transportation system planning with local government officials, and educate and collaborate with local stakeholders. The ideal candidate will contribute to the visionary – future oriented – perspective of the Strategic Planning Branch of the Policy Planning and Sustainability Administration (PPSA) in the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The District of Columbia faces significant transportation challenges and is seeking innovative solutions. This is an opportunity to work on a range of transportation planning issues that are at the cutting edge of the profession.

This position is located in the Technical Services Branch of the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, Sterling, Virginia. The Civil Engineer (Transportation) serves as the Federal Lands Highway (FLH)-wide technical expert and authority for promoting, coordinating and implementing the various highway traffic operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and traffic monitoring activities. In this capacity, you will promote the development and implementation of innovative and state-of-the-art technologies, practices, and products to meet the FLH transportation related needs. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2011.

http://jobsearch.dot.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=95298113

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks several Operations Research Analysts to join several of the Centers of Innovation (COI) at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.

This is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people. These positions are located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

RITA has  exciting career opportunities across several of its COI’s for recent graduates and mid-level Operations Research Analysts interested in conducting analyses of policies, programs, operations and systems to support the development of its  clients’ decision-making, operations and strategic planning as well as the deployment of advanced technology at the local, regional, and national level.

In this role, you will formulate, plan, and conduct analyses as well as assist senior project managers in planning and coordinating projects and conducting the assigned project segments. You will gather and analyze data using a variety of analytical techniques (e.g. surveys, literature reviews, stakeholder outreach; trade-off analysis, economic and/or regulatory impact analysis, etc.); analyze data sources to determine data quality and develop summary statistics. You will assess the readiness of agencies and the readiness of technologies for adoption; document findings in technical reports and present results before a variety of audiences.

These are great opportunities for new and mid-level professionals with strong quantitative and qualitative analysis background who excel in an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment. You must have superb problem-solving, communication and presentation skills. Experience or interest in transportation is a plus. Transcripts are required (instructions on how to submit them are listed in the How to Apply tab). Writing samples will be required of all applicants identified as best qualified for the job.

These Operations Research Analyst GS-1515-11/12 positions (RITA-VOLPE-2011-0007) opened Wednesday, November 3, and the application deadline is Monday, January 14, 2011. The official announcement may be found here: Operations Research Analysts 11/12 (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0007)

The first application review date will be close of business Monday, November 15, 2010.  Thereafter, we will do monthly reviews and referrals of applications with the final review occurring after January 14, 2011 (application deadline). Given the continuing need for professionals in this field, RITA will review applications and refer the top candidates for interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement.

If you or someone you know has the experience and proven results, I encourage you or them to apply under the following vacancy announcement. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

Good luck!

The U.S. Department of Transportation will soon be seeking a Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).  BTS, which is part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.

The Director position would lead the BTS, which is responsible for leading the development of high quality transportation data and information.  As a federal statistical agency, BTS provides an objective source of statistical analysis for decision making at all levels.

RITA is looking for a dynamic and visionary leader who can apply their expertise in the collection, analysis, and use of transportation statistics towards positioning BTS as an integral part of a Department of Transportation that bases its very significant investment and policy decisions on sound science and rigorous analysis.

In addition to possessing superior technical acumen, candidates must demonstrate an ability to lead a diverse team and promote cross-office collaboration in the pursuit of achieving organizational excellence.

RITA will soon be posting this position (on USAJobs).  If you know someone interested in this Washington, D.C. based leadership role with relevant experience and proven results please encourage them to contact Linda Riggins, Human Resources, at (202) 366-4847 or Linda.Riggins@dot.gov.

Note:  Received this from a USDOT source; please stay tuned for the official announcement on USAJobs.